LAKELAND, Fla. -- Fans who stayed for the ninth inning of Detroit’s 12-4 loss to the Atlanta Braves on Monday got something for their patience.

They were able to watch Casey Crosby’s Grapefruit League debut and see why Robbie Weinhardt’s has the attention of Tigers manager Jim Leyland.

Crosby, rated the No. 2 prospect in the Tigers’ organization after an impressive season at West Michigan, made his Grapefruit League debut. Though, it wasn’t something he will want to remember.

The Atlanta Braves greeted him with two quick singles, and he walked the next two batters. His final throw was a wild pitch that didn’t really matter because the runner on third was coming home on the walk.

“Crosby has really got good stuff,” Leyland said. “He said he was a little nervous, and I wasn’t going to let him stay out there.”

Weinhardt replaced him with the bases loaded and wasn’t the least bit rattled. The first two Braves grounded out, bringing in two runs, and he struck out Brandon Hicks to end the inning.

“He’s got a big-time sinker,” Leyland said before repeating that sentence.

Weinhardt has allowed one base-runner in three innings pitched. Leyland has noted that two or three relievers have caught his eye and should not be discounted as roster possibilities, and Weinhardt is one of them.

He was a 10th-round pick in 2008 from Oklahoma State, and finished last year at Double-A Erie. Weinhardt’s stock continued to rise while leading the highly-competitive Arizona Fall League with 29 strikeouts in 18 1/3 innings. He finished with 13 1/3 scoreless innings.